Exercise Machine

ABSTRACT

There is described a parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a horizontal ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being linked to a drive member said drive member being operably linked to a drive means.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise machine, to uses thereof and to a method of use.

More particularly, the invention relates to an exercise machine that simulates the exercise achieved with a horizontal ladder, often referred to as “monkey bars”.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Different types of training equipment simulate various types of exercise and will exercise different parts of the body. For example, equipment for facilitating upper body exercise may comprise parallel bars, horizontal ladder bars, overhead rings and the like.

Horizontal ladder bars, also known as “monkey bars” provide strenuous exercise for arms and shoulders, by the user “walking” the length of the ladder hand over hand. Such horizontal ladder bars, or “monkey bars” are popular as outdoor fitness equipment, however, due, inter alfa, to the length of the ladder, they are generally not suitable for use in indoor gyms or in the home.

Attempts have been made to address this. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,472 describes an upper body exerciser having a frame which supports a rotatable head that has a single axis of rotation. The head is provided with radially extending cross-rods are reciprocally radially movable. Thus, a person can exercise by hanging from one of the cross-rods and move from one cross-rod to another simulating a “monkey bar” movement. Whilst the system does provide a portable “monkey bar” system, it does suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, it does not provide the user with a real sense of “hand walking” across a ladder; there is no ability to vary the energy required to rotate the head; and it is not capable of being wall mounted, etc.

Thus, there is a need for an improved upper body exerciser, especially in the form of horizontal ladder bars which overcomes or mitigates the disadvantages of the prior art systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have now found a novel horizontal ladder bar exercise machine.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a horizontal ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being linked to a drive member said drive member being operably linked to a drive means.

In one embodiment of the invention the drive member is provided with a plurality of locating means for the plurality of hand-bars. Each locating means may comprise a female member attached to the drive member.

The drive means may comprise a sprocket or a pair of sprockets mounted around an axle and driven by a motor, e.g. an electric motor. The sprockets are operably linked to the drive means, such that when the motor is in operation the sprocket or pair of sprockets will turn, driving the drive member and moving any hand-bars linked to the drive member.

The sprocket or pair of sprockets may be linked directly to the motor. Alternatively, the motor, in operation, may turn a cog which itself turns a sprocket.

The sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser may comprise a single pair of sprockets, i.e. a first sprocket and a second sprocket, located at either end of an axle. Preferably, two separate pairs of sprockets are provided. Thus, a first pair of sprockets may comprise a first sprocket and a second sprocket, located about a first axle. The first pair of sprockets will be driven, directly or indirectly, by the motor.

A second pair of sprockets comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The second pair of sprockets may be independently driven, i.e. by a second motor. However, in an alternative embodiment the second pair of sprockets may not include a separate drive means (motor) and therefore may be driven only by the drive member, such that the first pair of sprockets is a lead pair or a drive pair. It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the number of sprockets may be varied.

Each sprocket is rotatably mounted about a support axle. Thus, when a two pairs of sprockets is provided a corresponding support axle is also provided. Thus, for example, when two groups or two pairs of sprockets are present, the first sprocket from each pair may share a single axle and the second sprocket from each pair may share an axle; and so on.

The size of the sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser of the invention may be the same or different. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention the sprockets are all substantially the same size. In an alternative embodiment the sprockets are different sizes. In this embodiment, preferably, the first and second sprockets in each pair may be the same size. In one embodiment, if there is a lead pair of sprockets, the lead pair is generally of larger dimensions than the other pair, i.e. the trailing pair of sprockets. The references to the term “larger” in this context, is generally intended to mean of greater diameter.

The drive member may comprise a chain, belt, rope or the like. Preferably the drive means comprises a chain, e.g. a roller chain. Such a drive chain will generally comprise a continuous loop around a group of sprockets, thus the drive chain can be considered as having an inner surface, i.e. which engages with the sprockets and an outer surface remote from the sprockets. It is within the scope of the present invention than one or more wheels may be present which simply acts as a guide wheel rather than engaging in a driveable manner with the drive chain.

It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the term “drive chain” should not be considered to be limiting. Whilst a drive chain is preferred, the parallel bar exerciser could suitably be operated with other conventionally known drive means. The drive chain may typically comprise a metal chain, but it will be understood that other material, such as, a natural or polymer material, such as natural or synthetic rubber and may optionally include high tensile fibres, such as fibreglass, etc.

The number of hand-bars used in the parallel bar exerciser of the present invention may vary and may, for example, be from about 2 to about 20 hand-bars, preferably from about 5 to about 15 hand-bars, e.g. about 10 hand-bars.

The drive means may be provided with locating means for the plurality of hand-bars. Whilst any locating means may be suitably used, it is desirable that the locating means comprises a female member attached to the drive member. Alternatively, the locating means may be absent such that a hand-bar is fixed to the drive member, e.g. may be screwed to the drive member.

In a further embodiment of the invention the parallel bar exerciser of the present invention is provided with a housing. Such a housing may desirably be provided with one or more recesses which is shaped so that a group of sprockets and corresponding drive member, including any motor, may be located in the recess.

A further aspect of this embodiment provides a support frame for the housing. In one particular embodiment the support frame is provided with means for pivotally mounting the housing and the parallel bar exerciser. The use of a support frame is advantageous in that, inter alfa, the housing and the parallel bar exerciser may be inclined to the horizontal, thus varying the workload required from the user to operate the exerciser.

In a further aspect of this embodiment the support frame may be provided with means for pivotally mounting the housing and the parallel bar exerciser. The use of a pivotally mounted support frame is advantageous in that, inter alfa, the housing and the parallel bar exerciser may be inclined to the horizontal, thus varying the workload required from the user to operate the exerciser. In this embodiment the parallel bar exerciser may optionally be self-powered.

Thus, according to this aspect of the invention there is provided a parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a horizontal ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being linked to a drive member, wherein the parallel bar exerciser is provided with a housing and a support frame for the housing, the support frame being provided with means for pivotally mounting the housing and the parallel bar exerciser.

According to this aspect of the invention the parallel bar exerciser may optionally be self-powered or the drive member being operably linked to a drive means, e.g. a motor, as herein described.

In addition, the power input and output of the drive means, e.g. a motor, may also be varied such that the workload required from the user to operate the exerciser may be varied.

The parallel bar exerciser may include one or more bearings. Thus, for example, bearings may be included around the support axle where a sprocket is rotatably mounted. Furthermore, when the parallel bar exerciser is located in a housing, the housing may optionally be provided with a bearing strip along the recess to aid the smooth running of the drive member.

The parallel bar exerciser may optionally be provided with a braking mechanism. Although any conventionally known braking mechanism may suitably be used, a friction disc located about an axle may suitably be used.

The parallel bar exerciser may further optionally be provided with tensioning means, allowing the user to vary the workload required from the user to operate the exerciser. Any conventionally known tensioning means may suitably be used, a tensioning screw, for example, located adjacent an axle, may suitably be used.

In use, the drive means will drive the drive member such that the hand-bars will essentially travel from sprocket to the next sprocket. The user will “hand-walk” from one hand-bar to the next, as with a conventional horizontal ladder or “monkey bar” exercise equipment. The hand-bars will rotate about the pairs of sprockets and present the next hand-bar each time, so that the user experiences the simulation of a conventional horizontal ladder or “monkey bar” exercise equipment. The parallel bar exerciser may be inclined or tensioned to increase or decrease the workload required of the user or the owner output if the drive means, e.g. a motor may be varied so as to increase or decrease the workload required of the user.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of exercising, which comprises a user operating a parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a horizontal ladder, said parallel bar exerciser comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being linked to a drive member said drive member being operably linked to a drive means.

The method according to this aspect of the invention particularly comprises a method of upper body exercise, e.g. exercising arms and shoulders. The method suitably comprises a user operating a parallel bar exerciser as herein described by “walking” the length of the ladder hand over hand. The method may suitably include use of the parallel bar exerciser of the present invention inclined to the horizontal.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a parallel bar exerciser system comprising:

-   -   a plurality of hand-bars;     -   each hand bar being adapted to be linked to a drive member;     -   said drive member being adapted to be operably linked to a drive         means;     -   a housing for locating the exerciser and optionally a support         frame.

The parallel bar exerciser or parallel bar exerciser system may be suitable for use in a gymnasium or may be suitable for use in a domestic location. Therefore, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide the parallel bar exerciser of the present invention in kit form.

Therefore, according to this aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for a parallel bar exerciser comprising:

-   -   a plurality of hand-bars;     -   each hand bar being adapted to be linked to a drive member;     -   said drive member being adapted to be operably linked to a drive         means;     -   a housing for locating the exerciser and optionally a support         frame.

The kit according to this aspect of the invention may optionally include a housing and/or a support frame.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional perspective view of a of a parallel bar exerciser of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 a parallel bar exerciser (1) suitable for simulating a horizontal ladder comprises an electric motor (2) operably linked to a drive wheel (3) via a flywheel (4), using belts (5) and (6). The drive wheel (3) is operably linked to a sprocket (7) mounted on an axle (8). As the motor operates the drive wheel (3) and sprocket (7) rotate causing a chain (9) to turn. Hand-bars (10), in the form of cylindrical rod, are attached to the chain (9) so that as the chain (9) turns, moving the hand-bars (10) with it.

The parallel bar exerciser (1) is provided with a housing (11) and a support frame (12). The support frame (12) comprises a pair of side plates/legs (13) and (14), provided with feet (15) and (16). The support frame (12) is dimensioned so that the housing (11) fits within the support frame (12). A controller (17) may be optionally included. 

1. A parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a horizontal ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being linked to a drive member said drive member being operably linked to a drive means.
 2. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the drive member is provided with locating means for the plurality of hand-bars.
 3. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the drive means comprise a sprocket or a pair of sprockets mounted around an axle and driven by a motor, e.g. an electric motor.
 4. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the sprockets are operably linked to the drive means, such that when the motor is in operation the sprocket or pair of sprockets will turn, driving the drive member and moving any hand-bars linked to the drive member.
 5. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the sprocket or pair of sprockets is linked directly to the motor.
 6. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the motor turns a cog which itself turns a sprocket.
 7. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser comprises a single pair of sprockets i.e. a first sprocket and a second sprocket, located at either end of an axle.
 8. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser comprises two separate pairs of sprockets, a first pair of sprockets comprising a first sprocket and a second sprocket, located about a first axle; and a second pair of sprockets comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket.
 9. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 8 wherein the first pair of sprockets is driven, directly or indirectly, by a first motor and the second pair of sprockets is independently driven, directly or indirectly, by a second motor.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 8 wherein the first and second pairs of sprockets are substantially the same size.
 12. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 8 wherein the first and second pairs of sprockets are substantially different sizes.
 13. (canceled)
 14. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the drive member comprises a chain.
 15. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the exerciser is provided with from about 2 to about 20 hand-bars. 16.-18. (canceled)
 19. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the exerciser is provided with a housing.
 20. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 19 wherein the housing is provided with one or more recesses for locating the exerciser.
 21. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 19 wherein the housing is provided with a support frame.
 22. (canceled)
 23. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein one or more pairs of sprockets is provided with a braking mechanism.
 24. (canceled)
 25. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the exerciser is provided with tensioning means. 26.-30. (canceled)
 31. A parallel bar exerciser system comprising: a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being adapted to be linked to a drive member; said drive member being adapted to be operably linked to a drive means; a housing for locating the exerciser and optionally a support frame.
 32. A kit for a parallel bar exerciser comprising: a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being adapted to be linked to a drive member; said drive member being adapted to be operably linked to a drive means; a housing for locating the exerciser and optionally a support frame.
 33. (canceled) 